Photosensing folio keyed keyboard

ABSTRACT

A photosensing keyboard which is utilized in conjunction with a folio. The folio is mounted on the face of the keyboard. The keyboard has a first and second photosensing means therein. The photosensing means and folio are interrelated in such a manner that the keyboard is capable of detecting the presence of the folio thereon and also the specific page the folio is opened to.

waited States Patent Ralph E. Mahan San Jose;

James K. Gerrie, Sunnyvale; James C. Lashbrook, San Jose, all 01, Calif.869,77 1

Oct. 27, 1969 Aug. 17, 1971 The United States of America as representedby the Secretary of the Air Force inventors Appl. No. Filed PatentedAssignee PHOTOSENSING FOLIO KEYED KEYBOARD 9 Claims, 14 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 250/219 DC, 35/5, 235/61.12, 250/208, 250/221 Int. Cl G0ln21/30Field of Search 250/2191,

219 ID, 221,222, 208,209;235/6l.12,6l.l5, l45;35/5,6,53

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,916,624 12/1959 Angel etal 250/219 3,015,424 l/l962 Laframb0ise.. 235/6112 3,346,401 9/1967Young 250/221 3,402,299 9/1968 Held 250/219 Primary Examiner-James W.Lawrence Assistant ExaminerD. C. Nelms Attorneys- Harry A. Herbert, Jr.and Jacob N. Erlich ABSTRACT: A photosensing keyboard which is utilizedin conjunction with a folio. The folio is mounted on the face of thekeyboard. The keyboard has a first and second photosensing meanstherein. The photosensing means and folio are interrelated in such amanner that the keyboard is capable of detecting the presence of thefolio thereon and also the specific page the folio is opened PATENTEDAUG] 7 |97| SHEET U, 0F 5 m M w m Zm m MMEW

Z W a m dn PHOTOSENSING FOLIO KEYED KEYBOARD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to a pushbutton keyboard for computeror processing systems, and more particularly to a pushbutton keyboardhaving a photoelectric sensing system which is utilized in conjunctionwith a folio.

Pushbutton keyboards find use in many areas, for example, incommunication with computer systems, TV teaching systems, businesssystems, or other information call up and/or processing systems. Thekeyboards generally are used in conjunction with an information card orcards. These cards when properly placed on the keyboard give informationas to the use of the particular pushbuttons located on the keyboard. Inthe past the particular card used, would be individually placed upon thekeyboard with the specific information thereon being noted andmechanically processed into the keyboard by the operator.

The cards, besides being cumbersome, were usually held in place byremovable bars which had to be removed before the next card could beused. As seen these type of prior art keyboard arrangements wereextremely time consuming in operation and in many instances because ofthe human element involved, led to many errors in utilizing such akeyboard. There has heretofore been no rapid and accurate method withwhich these keyboard pushbuttons could be properly identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The instant invention overcomes the problemsset forth hereinabove. This invention is made up of a pushbuttonkeyboard which houses a photoelectric sensing system and a folio. Thefolio being the book containing the desired information is used inconjunction with the keyboard. Each folio is made up of pages and abinder. The binder is inserted into a slot in the face of the keyboardand the pages carry the information setting forth the operation of eachof the pushbutton keys. When inserted into the keyboard, the binder ofthe folio either breaks or does not brake several light source photocelllinks. In so doing, it sends a binary number to the logic whichidentifies the folio. This corresponds to a certain area of informationstorage or to a group of computer programs, etc.

As individual pages of a folio are turned, another group of light sourcephotocell links are broken or not broken. The combination of whichidentifies the page of this folio being used. The open page labels eachpushbutton with a specific function within the areas or groups mentionedhereinabove. Each page of the folio has a tab located at its top edge,with no two pages in a folio having this tab in the same horizontallocation. It is this tab which breaks the light source photocell linksfor page identification.

It is essential that the pages lay flat on the keyboard so that littleor no light reaches the photocell which is blocked by that page tabbed.This is accomplished by a novel hinging of the folio pages and by makingthe pages of a semirigid material.

The operator who utilizes the keyboard and folio of this invention needonly insert the folio binder in the keyboard face, turn to the desiredpage, and because of the operation of the photocells in the manner setforth hereinabove merely press the button designated by the informationon the folio page. The amount of information which can be accessedthrough the keyboard of this invention is limited only by the amount ofinformation storage and folio storage capability.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a photosensingfolio keyed keyboard which tells" the logic of a computer system when afolio is inserted therein, and then what page is being used.

It is another object of this invention to provide a photosensing foliokeyed keyboard which is extremely rapid acting and accurate.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a folio which is tobe used in conjunction with the photosensing folio keyed keyboard ofthis invention. It is another object of this invention to provide aphotosensing folio keyed keyboard which utilizes conventional, currentlyavailable components that lend themselves to standard mass producingmanufacturing techniques.

For a better understanding of the present invention together with otherand further objects thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and itsscope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the face ofthe pushbutton keyboard of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the face of the pushbutton keyboard ofthis invention with the folio about to be inserted therein;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the-face of the pushbutton keyboard ofthis invention with the folio in place;

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of a portion of the folio of this inventionshown partly in cross section;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the binder of the folio of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of one of the photosensing elements of thekeyboard of this invention shown partly in cross section;

FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of the folio of this invention with thebinder in place;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the top page of the folio of thisinvention;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a portion of the second page of the folio ofthis invention;

FIG.'10 is a plan view of a portion of the third page of the folio ofthis invention;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a portion of the bottom page of the folio ofthis invention;

FIG. 12 is a pictorial view of another of the photosensing elements ofthis invention shown partly in cross section;

FIG. 13 is a pictorial view of a portion of the folio located adjacentthe photosensing element of FIG. 12 and shown partly in cross section;and

FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram of the page sensing system of thisinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to FIG. 1which shows the face 12 of the pushbutton keyboard 10 of this invention.The face 12 has a plurality of pushbuttons 14 thereon; these pushbuttons14 are connected in any conventional manner with a computer system, TVteaching system, business system, or other informational system. Thepushbuttons 14 are arranged in a pair of groups of buttons 15 and 17,although any number of groups may be used with this invention. A pair ofraised portions 16 and 18 are located adjacent each of the groups ofbuttons 15 and 17, respectively, the only restriction being that eachraised portion accompany each group of buttons. The raised portions 16and 18 contain a plurality of indentations 20 therein, each indentation20 containing a suitable photosensing means, such as photocell 22 andlight source 24 (see FIG. 6). The operation of the photosensing meanswill be explained in detail hereinbelow. The face 12 of the keyboard 10further has a slot 26 located in the center thereof and positioned so asto separate the groups of pushbuttons l5 and 17. This slot has a keyway28 located at one end thereof and any suitable photosensing means suchas photocells 30 and light source 32 located therein (see FIGS. 12 and13). The operation of this photosensing means will also be described indetail hereinbelow.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a folio or book 34 is shown beinginserted within the slot 26. This folio 34 is made up of a plurality ofpages 36 and a binder 38. The binder 38 contains a plurality of binderelements 40 to which the pages 36 are fixedly secured (see FIGS. 4 and7). The pages 36 have a plurality of apertures 42 therein which arepositioned in such a manner as to permit all the pushbuttons 14 toprotrude therethrough as best shown in FIG. 3. Information pertaining toeach button 14 is written adjacent the apertures 42 and 44 (only one ofsuch information is shown in FIG. 3). Page identification tabs 46 arelocated on the upper edge of pages 36 and these tabs 46 when the folio34 is in position on keyboard face 12 fit into indentations 20, as shownin FIG. 3. No two pages 36 in the folio 34 have this tab 46 in the samehorizontal location. It is this tab 46 which breaks the light sourcephotocell 22 (FIG. 6) for page identification. A plurality of page labeland handling tabs 48 are located on the outer page of pages 36 and areutilized for turning the pages when the folio 34 is in place. Thesehandling tabs 48 may also, if desired, cover another plurality ofphotosensing means 50 shown in FIGS. 13. These photosensing means 50 maybe arranged and connected electrically to any other suitable device (notshown).

Referring now to FIGS. 4, and '7, the folio 34 is clearly shown. Thisfolio 34 has a binder 38 shown in FIG. 5 which is pivotally connected at39 by any suitable connecting means to a plurality of binder elements40. These binder elements 40 are fixedly secured to outstanding elements51 formed on pages 36 of the folio 34. The binder 38 has a key 52located thereon which engages the keyway 28 within slot 26 of keyboardwhen the binder 38 is positioned correctly within slot 26. This key 52and keyway 28 or any other such device prevents incorrect positioning offolio 34 within slot 26. A plurality of openings 54 are also located onbinder 38, and these openings 54 allow light from light source 32 (seeFIG. I3) from reaching photocells 30. The binder 38 with openings 54either breaks or does not break the several light source photocell links(3032). In so doing, it sends a binary number to the logic whichidentifies the type and presence of folio 34.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the pages 36 are secured in any suitablemanner to binder elements 40. Each page 36 has a pair of outstandingelements 51 thereon, and these elements 51 are fixedly secured to acorresponding protruding portion on the binder elements 40. There aretwo binder elements 40 having identical protruding portions (51a, 51b,51c, 51d) for each page 36. In order for the folio 34 to be utilizedwith a keyboard 10 of this invention the folio pages 36 must be arrangedin the manner shown in FIGS. 8ll. For example, the pair of outstandingelements 51 of the top page shown in FIG. 8 engage the top of theprotruding portions 51a of binder elements 40 as shown in FIG. 7. Eachpair of protruding portions going in the same horizontal direction awayfrom the first pair of portions 51a allows for the mounting of anotherpage 36 one page thickness t lower than the preceding page 36. Forexample, the second page 36 shown in FIG. 9 has outstanding elements 51which engage the top of protruding portions 51b shown in FIG. 7. In FIG.10 the third page 36 is shown and these outstanding elements 51 engagethe top of protruding portions 510 shown in FIG. 7. The bottom page 36shown in FIG. ll has its outstanding elements 51, therefore, engagingthe bottom of protruding portions 5lld of binder elements 40 as shown inFIG. 7. Although only four such pages 36 are shown, any number may beused with this invention as long as they are arranged similar to FIGS.7-ll. In this manner when the pages 36 of the folio 34 are turned or inthe open position as shown in FIG. 13 the pages 36 lay perfectly flat asshown in FIG. 3. The pages 36 are preferably made of any suitablesemirigid material such as thick glass reinforced epoxy.

Referring once again to FIG. 6, one of the indentations is shown withthe photocell 22 and the light source 24 in place. The light source 24has its light directed by means of light guide 56 so as to direct thelight onto photocell 22 when there is no obstruction such as tab 46 inthe indentation 20.

FIG. 12 represents the photocells located within slot 26 and a lightsource 32 shown in FIG. 13. This light source 32 is directed by anysuitable light guide 58 to shine on photocells 30 when unobstructed. Inthe unobstructed position the apertures 54 are so positioned to allowthe light to shine therethrough.

FIG. 14 represents the circuit for the page sensing logic of thisinvention. When a folio 34 is inserted within slot 26 a photocell 30detects the presence of the folio 34 and conditions one input 60 of aplurality of NAND gates 60 60,,. For simplicity, in FIG. 14, only threesuch NAND gates 60,60,, are shown. Opening of the folio 34 causes thepages 36 to lay flat on the face 12 of keyboard 10 so that certain tabs46 cover photocells 22 (as shown in FIG. 3). The positive sense of anypair of photocells 22, such as photocells 22,, photocells 22, orphotocells 22, conditions the remaining two inputs 68a, or 6812, or 680,respectively. It should be noted that any number of pairs of photocells22,, may be utilized, again for simplicity only three such pairs areshown in FIG. 14. The specific NAND gate 60,, 60 or 60,, that isenabled, sets the specific flip-flop 70 or 70 that is connected thereto,causing the output of that flip-flop to indicate a page selection.Simultaneously, the enabled NAND gate resets all other flip-flops. Againonly the three corresponding flip-flops are shown, a through any numbercorresponding to the photocells and NAND gates may be used.

Removal of the folio 34 from slot 26 is sensed once again by photocell30 which will then trigger one-shot multivibrator 76. The change ofstate of multivibrator76 is felt at all gates 78,- 78, and these gatesreset all the flip-flops 70 MODE OF OPERATION The following exampleillustrates a use of the pushbutton photosensing folio keyed keyboard 10of this invention in which it calls up prerecorded information for, forexample, TV teaching. The operator selects a folio 34 entitled EnglishGrammar and inserts the binder 38 of folio 34 (as shown in FIG. 2) intothe slot 26 in the face 12 of the keyboard It). In the proper positionthe key 52 mates with keyway 28.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the operator allows the folio 34 to lay flat onthe keyboard 10 with the pushbuttons l4 protruding through the apertures42 within the pages 36. The operator then selects (via the label tabs 48along the edges of the pages 36) the page entitled, for example, VerbTypes, and opens the folio 34 to that page 36. Any or all of thepushbuttons 14 now have specific labels 44 adjacent thereof (see FIG. 3)and the operator can call upon the precise information he wants bydepressing the proper button.

The logic circuit corresponding to the pushbuttons 14 on the keyboard 10can now be activated. When the folio 34 was inserted within the slot 26a photocell 30 within slot 26 detected its presence therein and, alongwith properly identifying that folio 34 (in a manner not part of thisinvention) conditioned one input 60 of a plurality of a NAND gates 60-60,, (see FIG. 14). The positive sense of any pair of photocells 22 -22conditions the other two inputs 68a, 6817, or 680, however the case maybe. The specific NAND gate 60 60,, that is enabled sets one of theflip-flops 70 -70 causing the output of that flip-flop to indicate apage selection to the logic associated with the keyboard 10.

Removal of the folio 34 from slot 26 is once again sensed by a photocell30 and in a manner described hereinabove resets all the flip-flops70,-7il enabling the keyboard 10 and the logic associated therewith tobe utilized with another folio 34.

With the utilization of the keyboard 10 and folio 34 of the instantinvention the operators mechanical functions may be eliminated. It isonly necessary for the operator of the keyboard 10 of this invention tohave the ability to place the proper folio 34 onto the keyboard 10 andpush the buttons labeled by the pages 36 of that folio 34. All otherfunctions have been taken over by the photosensing means of thisinvention.

Although the information has been described with reference to aparticular embodiment, it will be understood to those skilled in the artthat the invention is capable of a variety of alternate embodimentswithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A photosensing folio keyed keyboard comprising a keyboard having aface, a plurality of pushbuttons on said keyboard face to be operated inaccordance with instructions on a folio, a slot in said keyboard facefor receiving a portion of said folio therein, a first photosensingmeans in said slot for detecting the presence and type of folio and forproducing an output in response thereto, and a second photosensing meansin said face adjacent said pushbuttons for detecting the page said foliois opened to and for producing an output in response thereto.

2. A photosensing folio keyed keyboard as defined in claim 1 furthercomprising at least one raised portion on said keyboard face adjacentsaid pushbuttons, said raised portion having a plurality of indentationstherein and said second photosensing means being located in saidindentations.

3. A photosensing folio keyed keyboard as defined in claim 2 whereinsaid first photosensing means comprises a photocell and a light sourceand said photocell being electrically connected to an activating means.

4. A photosensing folio keyed keyboard as defined in claim 3 whereinsaid second photosensing means comprises another photocell and anotherlight source, said other photocell being electrically connected to saidactivating means, whereby concurrent interrupting of both said photocelllight source links energizes said activating means.

5. A photosensing folio keyboard as defined in claim 4 wherein saidactivating means is a flip-flop.

6. The combination of a photosensing folio keyed keyboard and a folio,said folio having a binder and a plurality of pages attached thereto,said keyboard having a face, a plurality of pushbuttons on said keyboardface to be operated in accordance with instructions on said folio, aslot in said keyboard face for receiving said binder of said foliotherein, a first photosensing means in said slot for detecting thepresence and type of folio and for producing an output in responsethereto, and a second photosensing means in said face adjacent saidpushbuttons for detecting the page said folio is opened to and forproducing an output in response thereto.

7. The combination of a photosensing folio keyed keyboard and a folio asdefined in claim 6 wherein said binder has at least one openingindicative of the type of folio, each of said plurality of pages has atab thereon indicative of the page, said keyboard face furthercomprising a raised portion adjacent said pushbuttons, said raisedportion having a plurality of indentations therein for receiving saidtabs, and said second photosensing means located within saidindentations.

8. A folio adapted to be used with a pushbutton keyboard comprising abinder, a plurality of binder elements pivotally secured to said binder,each of said binder elements having a protruding portion thereon, aplurality of pages, each of said pages have an outstanding elementthereon, said protruding portion of each of said binder elements beingfixedly secured to a respective outstanding element of each of saidpages, said binder having at least one opening therein indicative of thetype of folio, said pages having at least one aperture therein to allowa pushbutton to protrude therethrough, and a tab protruding from each ofsaid pages indicative of said page.

9. A folio as defined in claim 8 wherein said binder elements are inpairs, each binder elements in said pair of binders elements havingidentical protruding portions thereon, each of said pages being of apredetermined thickness and having a pair of outstanding elementsthereon, each of said pair of outstanding elements on each of said pagesbeing fixedly secured to each of said identical protruding portions onidentical pairs of binder elements, and each of said binder elementsadjacent said pair of identical elements having protruding portionsthereon which allow for the mounting thereon of another page at one pagethickness difference than the preceding page.

1. A photosensing folio keyed keyboard comprising a keyboard having aface, a plurality of pushbuttons on said keyboard face to be operated inaccordance with instructions on a folio, a slot in said keyboard facefor receiving a portion of said folio therein, a first photosensingmeans in said slot for detecting the presence and type of folio and forproducing an output in response thereto, and a second photosensing meansin said face adjacent said pushbuttons for detecting the page said foliois opened to and for producing an output in response thereto.
 2. Aphotosensing folio keyed keyboard as defined in claim 1 furthercomprising at least one raised portion on said keyboard face adjacentsaid pushbuttons, said raised portion having a plurality of indentationstherein and said second photosensing means being located in saidindentations.
 3. A photosensing folio keyed keyboard as defined in claim2 wherein said first photosensing means comprises a photocell and alight source and said photocell being electrically connected to anactivating means.
 4. A photosensing folio keyed keyboard as defined inclaim 3 wherein said second photosensing means comprises anotherphotocell and another light source, said other photocell beingelectrically connected to said activating means, whereby concurrentinterrupting of both said photocell-light source links energizes saidactivating means.
 5. A photosensing folio keyboard as defined in claim 4wherein said activating means is a flip-flop.
 6. The combination of aphotosensing folio keyed keyboard and a folio, said folio having abinder and a plurality of pages attached thereto, said keyboard having aface, a plurality of pushbuttons on said keyboard face to be operated inaccordance with instructions on said folio, a slot in said keyboard facefor receiving said binder of said folio therein, a first photosensingmeans in said slot for detecting the presence and type of folio and forproducing an output in response thereto, and a second photosensing meansin said face adjacent said pushbuttons for detecting the page said foliois opened to and for producing an output in response thereto.
 7. Thecombination of a photosensing folio keyed keyboard and a folio asdefined in claim 6 wherein said binder has at least one openingindicative of the type of folio, each of said plurality of pages has atab thereon indicative of the page, said keyboard face furthercomprising a raised portion adjacent said pushbuttons, said raisedportion having a plurality of indentations therein for receiving saidtabs, and said second photosensing means located within saidindentations.
 8. A folio adapted to be used with a pushbutton keyboardcomprising a binder, a plurality of binder elements pivotally secured tosaid binder, each of said binder elements having a protruding portionthereon, a plurality of pages, each of said pages have an outstandingelement thereon, said protruding portion of each of said binder elementsbeing fixedly secured to a respective outstanding element of each ofsaid pages, said binder having at least one opening therein indicativeof the type of folio, said pages having at least one aperture therein toallow a pushbutton to protrude therethrough, and a tab protruding fromeach of said pages indicative of said page.
 9. A folio as defined inclaim 8 wherein said binder elements are in pairs, each binder elementsin said pair of binders elements having identical protruding portionsthereon, each of said pages being of a predetermined thickness andhaving a pair of outstanding elements thereon, each of said pair ofoutstanding elements on each of said pages being fixedly secured to eachof said identical protruding portions on identical pairs of binderelements, and each of said binder elements adjacent said pair ofidentical elements having protruding portions thereon which allow forthe mounting thereon of another page at one page thickness differencethan the preceding page.